The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) says the gas leak in its facility in Bayelsa has been brought under control.

This is contained in a statement by a spokesman for Agip, Domenica Spina.

The company stated that the line had been depressurised and was currently being repaired.

Agip said it was regrettable that the impact of the incident on gas output was significant.

“Eni confirms that a third party’s interference hacksaw cut caused a gas leak at the Ogbainbiri-OB/OB gas pipeline,” the company noted.

Speaking on the development, Idris Musa, the director-general of the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), said the agency would lead an investigation into the incident.

“We got the report of the incident in the early hours of Tuesday. We shall ensure a thorough investigation as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Mr Musa. “Our investigation will be transparent. We shall also make our findings public in due course.”

Production data obtained from Agip showed that the leak might cut its gas export by five million standard cubic meters per day (MMSCM/d).

Vandals damaged the gas pipeline three times last April.

(NAN)